Why Iga Swiatek is apologizing to Rafael Nadal's French Open opponent

Swiatek is the two-time reigning French Open champion on the women's side and also won the event in 2020. Her other major championship came at the 2022 U.S. Open.

Nadal won the first of his record 14 French Open singles titles in 2005 at 19 years old, and his 22 Grand Slam championships are the second most all-time. Nadal's most recent appearance in a major final came two years ago at Roland-Garros, when he defeated Casper Ruud in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, 6-0. Before that, however, Nadal advanced past Zverev in the semifinals after the German suffered an ankle injury during their matchup.

The 37-year-old Spaniard missed most of the 2023 season while recovering from hip surgery.

Zverev has made three straight French Open semifinals and advanced to the 2020 US Open finals against Dominic Thiem but has yet to earn a major victory.

Nadal is 7-3 in head-to-head matchups with Zverev and has won five of their six meetings on clay, losing only in the 2021 Madrid quarterfinals.

Per ESPN's Bill Connelly, Swiatek, who will turn 23 on May 31 (Nadal turned 23 during the 2009 French Open) can match Nadal's four French Open crowns by that age if she wins it all in June. ESPN Bet has her current odds at -160 to win the title.

Nadal and Zverev will square off on Monday.

Swiatek will take on Leolia Jeanjean on Tuesday.